Red Snapper public meeting set April 23 in Gulf Shores

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division is hosting several public meetings in Baldwin and Mobile counties and a Facebook live session about the 2018 red snapper season.

The purpose of the meetings is to provide information about the dates of the red snapper fishing season and describe management measures that will be used to set and monitor the season as provided for in an Exempted Fishing Permit issued by NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Administrator. These meetings will be of interest to recreational anglers who fish from private vessels and captains of state-licensed charter boat vessels who plan to take recreational anglers on red snapper fishing trips in 2018.

The topics to be covered include the following:

Specific dates for the season.

Mandatory reporting requirement and use of reported data to monitor season harvests.

Where state-licensed charter captains can fish for red snapper during chartered trips.

The meetings are open to the public and free of charge. The meeting times and locations are as follows:

For those who are unable to attend any of the meetings, a Facebook live session will be held Tuesday, May 8 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-Marine Resources Division’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AlabamaMarineResourcesDivision). After a short presentation, Marine Resources staff will answer questions submitted by viewers.

If Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are needed for the meetings, please contact Karen Bryant at 251-968-9691 or karen.bryant@dcnr.alabama.gov. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.